Valley Jr. Warriors
2023-24 Coaching Staff
Boys Program Director, Skills Instructor

Steve MacAdams

smacadams@jrwarriors.com

Steve MacAdams is entering his 13th season as Player / Program Director with the Warriors. He is an accomplished professional with more than 30 years of progressive coaching experience. He comes with a strong reputation in player and program development where he has worked with numerous players and organizations throughout the United States.

He previously served as director of operations for Paul Vincent’s Dynamic Skating Ltd., one of the top hockey consulting and development camps in the United States. MacAdams, a two year captain at Salem State College, has coached from the youth level through the Junior and college ranks. Recently, MacAdams' has coached our '97 and ’02 Elite team, who have won the Massachusetts Select Championship and advanced to the USA Hockey Nationals. He has also coached U16 and U18 teams in the program. Served as assistant coach at Austin Prep School for 10 years.

 

Skills Instructor

Bill Pappas

bpappas@jrwarriors.com

Bill Pappas is one of the most highly regarded hockey coaches in Massachusetts over the past decade and has been involved in the development of a plethora of NCAA Division 1 and NHL players over that 10 year period. Bill was instrumental in the success of the ’97 VJW team that advanced to the USA Hockey Nationals 3 times (2009-2014) and boasts 3 NHL 1st & 2nd Round Draft Picks.

Bill has also been key to the revitalization of the Austin Prep Hockey Program. Over his 6 seasons as Head Coach at Austin Prep his teams captured multiple CCL Titles and appeared in multiple Super 8 Tournaments. He currently serves as the Head Coach for one of our Valley Jr Warrior U18 Prep teams. Bill has been with the VJW program as a defensive coach since 2006. As a player Bill is a former standout at Malden Catholic, New Prep and Westfield State.

 

2016 - Mite

Eric Brown

Eric Brown is entering his first season as the head coach of the 2016 Elites. Eric returns to the Valley Jr. Warriors after working with the VJW Junior program previously. He has over 25 years of coaching and skills training experience. Brown was the Director at Greg Carter’s European Hockey School for nearly 15 years and trained many future Division I and professional hockey players. Brown has coached at all levels, mite through juniors including leading Wayland High to a Division 3 North championship as their head coach.

Brown graduated from Triton High School as one of the top scorers in the program's history. He then went on to play four years at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell followed by two years of minor league hockey.

2015 - Elite

Andrew Jackson

ajackson@jrwarriors.com


Andrew Jackson is entering his first season as the head coach of the 2015 Elites. Andrew grew up playing for the Valley Jr. Warriors and coached at Masconomet High School for 17 years. In that time, his team won 5 league championships and he was named Coach of the Year 5 times. Jackson has coached several D1 and D3 collegiate athletes as well as VJW alum and current NY Ranger, Chris Kreider. Andrew serves as the current assistant coach with St. John's Prep program

Jackson was a two-time captain and defenseman for Masconomet High School with multiple All-League and All-State accolades. Jackson went on to play at Stonehill College where he was a four-year starter and Sr. captain under the direction of BC Hall of Famer, Scott Harlow. Andrew has worked skills/camps for Paul Vincent, HubCity hockey and assistant director at Cape Ann Hockey School.
Resides in Middleton with his wife and three children.
2014 Elite

Chris Szymanski

cszymanski@jrwarriors.com

Coach Szymanski will entering his first season as Head Coach of the 2014 Elite team. Chris has recently served as the Valley Jr. Warriors 2011 Elite Head Coach for the past 4 seasons. Chris was born and raised in Billerica, MA where he played his youth and high school hockey for Billerica and Lowell Junior Chiefs. He attended the University of Massachusetts where he continued his playing career with their Club hockey team. His love of the game still has him playing competitive hockey in various leagues and Pond Hockey Tournaments. In addition to hockey, Chris’s competitive nature drives him to competing in Spartan competitions and in 2016 came in 20th in the Infinitius endurance race, a 66 mile trail race finishing under 22 hours. Chris holds his USA Hockey Level Three Certification in coaching. He has coached in the Andover Youth Hockey program from mite development through Squirts for the past five seasons. Chris resides in Andover, MA with his wife and three boys who all play hockey.

 

2014 Select

Craig Edwards

cedwards@jrwarriors.com

Craig grew up in Andover, MA where he played for the Andover HS  Varsity Hockey Team and also grew up playing in the Andover YH Program. He currently resides in Andover, with his wife, two daughters, and two stepsons. His daughter Catie is freshman at Andover High where she plays Goalie for the Girls Varsity Team. His two stepsons currently play hockey for Andover and the Valley Jr Warriors. 

Craig has coached hockey at the youth and high school level for over decade and has led his team to multiple State Championships.  Craig has spent the last two seasons coaching both Girls and Boys Varsity hockey at Malden Catholic and Somerville High School.  Craig is level 4 USA Hockey certified and NFHS certified.

2013 Elite

Mike Fonzi

mfonzi@jrwarriors.com

Mike grew up in a Boston hockey family and start playing at 4 years old for his father, who was then coach and president of Everett YH. Mike went on to play Elite hockey in the Mass Select League at both the youth and midget level, finishing his youth career with the Boston Bulldogs. Mike was a standout for Everett High playing as a true freshman and later selected for the HNIB Allstars. Fonzi went on to play his Junior Hockey for the Mass Mariners.

Mike’s love for the game has led him into coaching including assistant coach with Jr. Warrior ’07 team and now head coach for the 2013 Jr. Warriors for the last 3 seasons. Mike lives in Southern New Hampshire with his loving wife and 2 boys and runs his own excavation business working in and around the Boston area.

2013 Select

Marc Nazzaro


Marc grew up in Everett, Massachusetts where he began his hockey career at 3 years old with Everett Youth Hockey. Marc went on to play his AAA Club hockey with the Assabett Valley Patriots and then with the Lowell Jr. Lock Monsters and the Lowell Jr. River Hawks. In High School, Marc attended D1 powerhouse St. Mary's of Lynn where he had a very successful career at the DI level. During high school, he played in many of the top Showcases, including Hockey Night in Boston and for Team Massachusetts.
After high school, he went on to Curry college and then served 4 years in the United States Air Force. For the last two years, Marc has worked off and on with Valley Jr. Warrior Program Director Steve MacAdams and his Skating and Skills Camps. He currently resides in Medford, Mass. and works as a local 7 ironworker. Marc's strong belief in skating and skills development is a perfect fit with our Program. Marc enjoys working with younger players and is committed to developing each player while fostering a positive team environment!
2012 Elite

Steve Harb

sharb@jrwarriors.com

Steve was considered one of the top local hockey prospects in the late 1980s from North Andover and went on to play NCAA DI hockey at Dartmouth College. 

Harb grew up in North Andover and played his youth hockey for the North Shore Raiders of the MBHL. During his time at North Andover High School, Steve was a three-year captain, two year all-league selection, league MVP and Division 2 Co-Defensive MVP before attending and playing at Dartmouth.

Steve has coached youth hockey, soccer and basketball over the last several years. Steve has been the head coach for this 2012 Elite's team for the past three years. Steve enjoys working with younger players and is committed to developing each player while fostering a positive team environment. Steve is an attorney and has worked for a Boston based insurance company for the last 18 years. He currently resides in Haverhill, MA with his wife and two children.

 

2012 Select

Brian Andriolo

bandriolo@jrwarriors.com

Coach Andriolo grew up in Tewksbury, MA where he played his youth and high school hockey. After a very successful high school career he continued to play hockey at UMass Lowell as part of their club program. His passion and love for the game keeps him playing as much as possible even now. Brian comes from a family of athletes where his two brothers also played hockey and his sister was a competitive figure skater.

He credits his parents and coaches for his love of hockey and all sports. Brian has been coaching youth hockey for the last six years and also coaches soccer and baseball. Brian is entering his third year as the Head Coach of this 2012 Select team. Brian’s an enthusiastic and engaging coach who’s committed to maximizing the growth of each player. In addition to developing a players physical skills, Brian focuses on building self-confidence and leadership skills in a positive team environment. Brian’s coaching philosophy is the perfect fit for our program, he will be a great addition to our coaching staff.

2011 Elite

Matt Heath

mheath@jrwarriors.com

Matt grew up on the North Shore (Essex, MA), and currently resides with his wife & two children in Hamilton, MA. He graduated from Lawrence Academy ‘98, where played hockey & baseball. After high school, he attended Connecticut College ‘02, where he lettered in hockey for 4 years & was a member of the NESCAC All- Academic team. Matt is in his third season as Co-Head Coach of the 2011 Elite team. In addition to Matt’s work on the ice, he serves on the Acord Food Pantry Board, H-W little league board, and he is an active participant in Northeast Arc programs. On the ice, Matt focuses on creating a positive environment where players can develop their skills, sportsmanship, and passion for the game.

 

Chris Szymanski

cszymanski@jrwarriors.com

Chris was born and raised in Billerica, MA where he played his youth and high school hockey for Billerica and Lowell Junior Chiefs. He attended the University of Massachusetts where he continued his playing career with their Club hockey team. His love of the game still has him playing competitive hockey in various leagues and Pond Hockey Tournaments. In addition to hockey, Chris’s competitive nature drives him to competing in Spartan competitions and in 2016 came in 20th in the Infinitius endurance race, a 66 mile trail race finishing under 22 hours. Chris holds his USA Hockey Level Three Certification in coaching. He has coached in the Andover Youth Hockey program from mite development through Squirts for the past five seasons. Chris has served as the Valley Jr. Warrior 2011 Elite's coach for the past 4 years. Chris resides in Andover, MA with his wife and three boys who all play hockey.

 

2011 Select

Jeremy Tabb

Jeremy is entering his first season as the head coach of the 2011 Selects. Jeremy returns to the Valley Jr. Warriors after he worked closely with VJW Junior program. During that time, he was also one of our skills director. He has an extensive background in training young players and improving their overall skills. His work on stride and skating development for numerous teams and individuals has made him well known in the hockey community. Jeremy is currently an assistant coach at North Andover High School. He has also owned and operated the Owner Pride Hockey School since 2008. A 1990 graduate of Cathedral High School, Tabb went on to enjoy a successful playing career at UMass-Lowell and Elmira College and then as a professional player for four years in France.
2010 Elite

Marc Griffin

mgriffin@jrwarriors.com

Marc Griffin returns to the Warriors for a 11th straight season. This will be his seven year as the Head Coach of the 2010 Elite team. Griffin is a North Shore native and a former VJW player. A resident of North Reading, Griffin grew up playing for both Triton Youth Hockey and the Warriors. Upon graduating from Austin Prep High School, Griffin went on to play at Bentley University and became captain of the 1998 team. After college Griffin was an assistant coach on the VJW Junior team and has coached with the North Reading Youth Hockey program.

 

2010 Select

Chris Laird

claird@jrwarriors.com

Chris is returning to the Warriors 10 Select team for the 6th year as head coach. He played high school hockey at Central Catholic before attending Merrimack College. Prior to joining the Warrior program, Chris coached Triton Youth Hockey. His philosophy is centered on developing players in a positive environment and focuses on working hard while having fun. He currently lives in Rowley with his wife and two children.

 

U14 Elite Half Season

Phil Mericantante

pmericantante@jrwarriors.com

Phil Mericantante, a resident of North Reading, returns to the Warriors for his 8th season as head coach of the 09 Elite team. He played high school hockey at Matignon, winning a state championship in 1993, before attending Stonehill College. Prior to joining the Warrior program, he coached North Reading Youth Hockey. 

 

U14 Select Full Season

Aaron Poulin

A.poulin3@verizon.net

Aaron Poulin grew up in Newburyport, MA where he played youth and High School hockey.  Aaron now resides in Methuen MA with his wife and 3 children. Aaron has 7 years of experience coaching hockey, from mites to peewees. Aaron’s coaching experience was with Methuen Youth Hockey prior to joining the Warriors program 2 years ago where he has been an assistant coach. Aaron has a USA Hockey Level 4 coaching certificate and is also a USA Hockey Level 1 referee. Aaron is not only passionate about the game of hockey but driven to develop young athletes. His goal is to help kids and young adults build confidence in their playing and skating capabilities and develop a strong love and respect of the game. Aarons' philosophy fits right in line with our Jr. Warriors Develpmental philosophy.

Ken Madill

kmadill@jrwarriors.com

Ken Madill grew up in Medford MA where he played youth hockey and continued playing as an adult in various men's leagues. Ken has served as Head Coach for the 09 Select team for the last 7 years. He now resides in Georgetown MA with his wife and 2 children. Ken holds a USA Hockey Level Three Certification in coaching. In the past, Ken served on the Danvers Youth Hockey Board of Directors, and has coached Mites through Bantams for over seven years. His philosophy promotes individual skill development, team work, and helping each player achieve their personal goals.